Recommendations

Amend the ‘2038 B.S.Hotel, Lodge, Bar & Restaurant and Tourist Guide Regulation (1981) that should include a provision towards implementing the compulsory rule to provide clean filtered waterto visitors thus providing a viable alternative to plastic bottles that are a worldwide recognized threat to the environment.

To ban the use of single-use plastic bagswithin the boundaries of National Parks and Conservation Areasin all shops, schools, army and police, administration and tourist facilities in these specific areas.

Promote information campaignsin schools, local communities, woman associations, all stake holders of the Tourism industry on the negative impact of plastic on human health and wildlife, pollution of water resources, long time damage on the environment and on tourism frequentation.

Use all means toinformprior to their arrival in situ allvisitors(Nepali and foreigners) of the ban so that they can take the necessary measures ahead of time by bringing theirpurifying devicesor rely on local filtered water provided by the lodges and local shops. Such a ban of plastic bottles has been locally implemented since 12 years between Chhomrung and Sanctuary without any harm on tourist visitors in this area.

Entrust the implementation and the monitoring of the initiative to National Parks, and Conservation areasas well as local police check points already present in all mountain areas of Nepal.

Plastic Free Himalaya is a recognised NGO about envisioning a cleaner and sustainable Himalayas. Our goal is to rid the Himalayas of contaminants and promote tourism that benefits both the local population and tourists in a sustainable and responsible manner. We aim to follow in the footsteps of Bangladesh, Ladakh and Bhutan who have stamped successful “plastic free” bans and taken a step toward sustainable and responsible tourism.